Cultural thoughts of America and Ghana – interrupted.

The posts on cultural differences between America and Ghana will be delayed a week.  First, I would like to get a little more information and compare my thoughts with other volunteers and the locals.

Second, I've been in Accra to get my ears checked out for the week and will not be leaving until Monday.  My ears are better than I expected.  It was not a burst ear drum – just a nasty fungal and bacterial ear canal infection.  I will not bore you with more details....

I left Nandom on Monday afternoon and arrived Tuesday morning.  About 16 hours on a bus.  I was able to give a math review on Monday before I left but otherwise missed the last week of class (exams) at my school, a staff meeting, two funerals, and other functions.  It is not until I leave that I sometimes realize how busy I get at my site.  I did bring the ICT exams to grade.  I had about 120 or so to grade and got through them all by Thursday.  I'll have math exams to grade when I get back as the test was given on Thursday.  But those are only form 1 so I have less then 50 to grade.

I was able to see the ENT specialist at the local Military Hospital on Tuesday, the day I arrived in Accra.  The doctor gave me a couple of different drops and some oral medicine that seem to be working.  I had a follow up check with him on Friday and he said things were healing up nicely.  I have to come back in 3 or 4 weeks which will be another interruption.  Too bad the bus line does not give frequent rides miles, kilometers, or whatever.

While I was leaving the hospital after my doctor visit I noticed what I thought was a huge flock of birds.  Closer inspection showed that they were bats.  I was amazed at the number.  Thousands of bats flying during the day, about 10 am.  I've been told that the bats have frequently filled the sky in the area for years.  The story goes that the bats are protect  ancestors buried in the area.

Bats fill the sky new 37th military hospital in Accra Ghan

One bird among the bats


Next week I hope get get back to the cultural differences between the U.S. and Ghana.

So, I'm healthier than I expected.  All of my health problems to date has been minor, but even minor issues can lead to bigger problems in my remote part of Ghana so I'm glad that Peace Corps takes so much care of the health of the volunteers.

Love always,

John

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